I have 2 chihuahuas and have switched them to a raw diet but I’m terrified. They choke on their chicken drumsticks and act like they are choking to death. Can you help me?

Question

Hi Cindy,

I love your website and have been devouring it... how cool are all of you!!!... but no one ever talks about raw feeding toy breeds... I have 2 eight pound chihuahuas... I have been raw feeding since december but I have to tell you... it is terrifying and I dread every meal... I have only used chicken so far... they say to use the size of their head without the snout... I am not visual so that alone is hard!...so for example, every night I get out 2 drumsticks, 2 wings, 2 thighs, split a back and neck etc... is that too much for one each for those little guys?  they act like they are starving afterwards!  I hold each piece while they devour them but when it gets down to the end, they often grab it and run... my one gulps the end of the chicken drumstick and looks as if she is almost choking to death... she slinks away, choking and even has fallen over... I am going to have a heart attack before they do!!  I know they need the chewing for dental and emotional health... someone suggested just crating them in different rooms and letting them at it without them worrying the other will grab it or I will take it away....

Then when I branch out... like oxtails have big bones, beef bones are big turkey legs, necks etc... what do I give them to chew on for fun... have the butcher cut up marrow bones into smaller rounds? Just give them a beef rib?  won't they choke on that too?  can I just give them a raw egg for their meal or canned sardines instead of meat now and then?  is it mackerel or salmon? Should I get a meat grinder... but then they don't get the benefit from chewing?  I do worry about the salmonella but I spray everything down with vinegar after and I am no germaphobe by any means!... the several choking incidents have almost paralyzed me... of course all the vets around here scare the shit out of you about the bone thing and vaccine thing... I know they are wrong but those few incidents are scary... I would gratefully appreciate your help... before the next choke!!

Thank you so much,
Jennifer

Accepted Answer

I believe you need to be more educated on the overall process of raw feeding. Here is a Q & A section on raw feeding.

I would recommend having these 2 books in your library, you’ll use them a lot at first. Raw Dog Food and Natural Nutrition for Dogs & Cats. We give both of these books to our puppy customers and we almost never get questions on raw feeding. All of your questions are answered in the article and the books.

Feeding small dogs is really no different than feeding big dogs, they just eat less food. Usually dogs choke because you give them pieces that are too small. Feed larger pieces that force them to chew or grind their food, if choking is a real worry.

You can try using the search function on the website to find the answer to any additional questions. It is located in the left hand corner of every page on our website. Simply type in your search terms or key words and you will be directed to articles, question & answers, free streaming videos and posts on our forum.

Cindy